High School Graduates’ Perceptions of Factors that Will Impact Academic Success in College

Abstract

The present study used mixed-methods, retrospective causal-comparison research design to analyze the perceptions of 1,400 high school graduates who had been admitted to college, exploring the factors that students believed would impact their academic success in college. A qualitative analysis of narrative survey responses revealed six themes of perceived factors: academic interests, access to resources, learner identity, non-academic activities, personal factors, and social transition. Student perceptions differed significantly by demographic variables: first-generation status, gender, and second-year college retention. Suggestions for implementation of results into high school and first-year college programming are offered.